Well, I guess it’s about time that I get this blog rolling again. Stay tuned for some new and old adventures and all types of new and wonderful things!
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Want a peek at Treasure Cay? It’s a place known for its white sand beaches and brightly colored resorts and houses. Colorful flowers are plentiful and the sunsets create an ideal backdrop against palm trees swaying in the breeze.
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Jackson, Mississippi’s historic, commercial district known as Fondren, has a new addition to its neighborhood of businesses. Fondren Muse, a designer consignment boutique, offers a unique shopping experience which incorporates high fashion and charitable giving.
Fondren Muse’s Vintage Collection
The owner of Fondren Muse, Mary Amelia Mcree-Wofford, a gorgeous blonde with Mississippi’s signature Southern charm, has combined her eye for fashion, concern for the enviornment and passion for animals into one fluid entity through her boutique.
From an early age, Mary Amelia was concerned about the enviornment and understood the importance of recycling. That concern partnered with her love for animals and fashion fostered her concept of designer consignment that encourages consignors to donate to the local no-kill animal shelter, CARA. “I’ve always been crazy about recycling. I think it’s so important. So why not recycle great fashion?”, she says. “In the case of Fondren Muse, having clients consign is also a way to get people involved in supporting a great local organization.”
All Smiles From Mary Amelia Mcree-Wofford and Fondren Muse Employees
There is no denying that Fondren Muse has an incredible selection of designer clothing. When asked to name some of the labels that fill the racks, Mary Amelia responded, “We have Chanel, Ferragamo, Fendi, Gucci, Tory Burch, Kate Spade, Prada, St. John, Missoni, Oscar De La Renta, Burberry, Furla, Versace, Valentino and the list goes on”. With so many incredible options to choose from, I was interested to know what the most noteworthy item to come into the store has been? “It’s probably a tie between this amazing, Chanel tweed jacket and another tan, suede Ferragamo jacket. And since I’ve been saying this, let me throw in that I just had a gorgeous pair of Christian Louboutin pumps come in today!”, says Mary Amelia.
Chanel Tweed Jacket
Fondren Muse also has a “dry goods” retail section that showcases American made products. The section includes candles made in Starkville, Mississippi; Southwestern style wallets, pillows, cosmetic bags and more by Pendleton Woolen Mills in Oregon; handmade wooden sunglasses by Shwood in Oregon and lighting and furniture by Worlds Away in Memphis, Tennessee.
Fondren Muse’s Dry Goods Section
So what is the process for those interested in consigning clothes? “We give consignors of apparel a 50/50 split and consignors of their own art/creations a 40/60 split. All consignors have the option to donate a portion of their 50% split to our local no-kill animal shelter, CARA, hence ‘Fondren Muse- Designer Consignment for CARA’. Consignors can pick up (or request mailed) checks at any time. They can also use any balance toward shopping in the store.”, says Mary Amelia.
As the new year approaches, Mary Amelia shares her goals for the store and the forth-coming year. “I hope that the store in some way inspires a lifestyle, if you will, of recycling: clean, green and sustainable living, of casual elegance, giving back and being an individual. A huge goal for me in the next few months is to launch my e-commerce site. I think we would really be able to raise a substantial amount of money for CARA once we ‘go global’.”, she says.
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A Favorite Pastime: Tipsy Turtles in Green Turtle Cay
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So the countdown to island living is on! It is already quite cold here in Florida and we can’t wait to start heading over to the Caribbean’s crystal clear, blue waters. Top that off with some sunshine, palm trees, fresh lobster, fish and coconuts and I’ll be all set! Can’t wait to share all of the adventures with you! Here are some photos that I took in the Bahamas a couple years ago to tide you over until we make the crossing.
Sailing The Abacos. Bahamas. 2009
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I am thrilled to announce that Old Salt Merchants is one of my new sponsors! While working at the Annapolis Sailboat Show, a woman stopped by the Bavaria tent with a brown paper bag with the cutest design logo on it. I couldn’t help myself and I asked her about it and she directed me to the Old Salt booth. That’s where I met Anika and Josh, the owners and founders and the genius idea behind Old Salt Merchants.
Based out of Port Townsend, Washington, Anika and Josh are fellow sailors with a fascination for the sea. Their “old salt” sailor logo design and nautical themed merchandise will not only catch your eye but it also reflects a passion for being out on the water.
Old Salt offers a special selection of teas, spices and sugars. The all natural tea is grown by a Sri Lankan farmer and then custom-blended to create the notable Old Salt flavors such as Rum and Cola, Tempest, an espresso strength English Breakfast and Equator, a tropical green tea.
The flavored sugars that make Old Salt so sweet are coconut breeze, lime slice, Jamaican ginger and rum. And if you’re in need of some salt for your “docktail”, Old Salt has sea smoke, black powder salt, original sea salt and lime latitudes to take care of all your needs.
Oh and if you were wondering? The sailor’s name is Dutch! If you want to find out more about him or Old Salt Merchants, check out their website at www.oldsaltmerchants.com or like them on Facebook at Old Salt Merchants.
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A couple weeks ago, I had the rare privilege of getting to stay at The Ritz Carlton New Orleans with my parents. We had a fantastic time indulging in the luxuries of the hotel life.
It’s crazy to go from living on a boat to staying at the Ritz Carlton. The space of a hotel room in comparison with the boat was about the same, but I definitely don’t get dark chocolates on my pillow at night or hear Jeremy Davenport play jazz in the lounge before bed on the boat.
As Coco Chanel once said, “The best things in life are free. The second best are expensive.”
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During our visit to D.C., a special photography exhibit by Sammy Baloji was being shown at the Natural History Museum. Baloji’s montages were stunning. In his montages, Baloji placed archival images of former mine workers and European administrators over photos taken of the cooper mines today. The images tell a story of a golden era that has long since diminished due to mismanagement by corrupt governments.
I found Baloji’s work to be compelling. To see the faces of the Congolese who worked in the mines in the past and then to see the images of the mines today reinforces the idea that at one time these mines held promise of an economic future but now they are a tangible reminder of how greed can take away something that provides hope for many. Baloji’s art addresses long standing social issues that remain even today.
The photos reminded me of a passage from Alan Paton’s Cry The Beloved Country.
“But to tell the truth, they were afraid of him and his wife and Msimangu and the young demonstrator. And what was there evil in their desires, in their hunger? That men should walk upright in the land where they were born, and be free to use the fruits of the earth, what was there evil in it? Yet ment were afraid with a fear that was deep, deep in their heart, a fear so deep that they hid their kindness, or brought it out with fierceness and anger, and hid it behind fierce and frowning eyes. They were afraid because they were so few. And such fear could not be cast out, but by love.” – Alan Paton. Cry, The Beloved Country
Sometimes the problem with progress is that while some progress, others are held back.
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We’ve had a great time working the Annapolis Boat Show in Annapolis, Maryland. We stopped in at lots of industry parties and did some great networking, made some amazing friends and explored so many awesome boats throughout the week. I worked as the hostess for Bavaria Yachts and had a wonderful time meeting all the people that stopped by the tent and sharing stories of our sailing adventures thus far. The show ended right as the first winter chill rolled in. Perfect timing! We made some extra money and had a great time doing it, but now it’s time to head South!
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Love the New England lifestyle…lobster rolls, shingled homes and cool summers. These are some pictures from our visit to New London, Connecticut.
The Girl Around The World 